drifting.

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 14 Apr 2004, 00:54

My Laguna tends to dift to one side of the road, mainly to the left. Inorder to keep it in a streight line I need to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right. I have had the tracking checked, which seems to be fine. Could the suspension be causing this, the only other problem is that it doesn't always happen. If not the suspension could a bush cause this? If so any ideas on which one and where would I see if it was warn?
I would be grateful for any help that you could give me...
thanks

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 14 Apr 2004, 01:40

That sounds very much like the problem I've just fixed on my 21.
In my case it was the strut bearings- these allow the strut to rotate for steering. On my 21 they were stiff, meaning that the spring was winding up instead of turning. Sometimes the spring would shift and cause a steering pull because it was wanting to spring back into its proper shape.
It cost £6.50 a side for the bearings and took about an hour to do iirc.

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 14 Apr 2004, 01:45

Thanks, Where would the Strut bearing be situated? I'm slowly teaching myself mechanics..... Getting there with every new problem.

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 14 Apr 2004, 02:09

It's either under the lower or above the upper spring pan. Changing it is easy but does require a set of spring compressors. Looking at the exploded diagram in the Haynes manual is a good plan, as is understanding how to use spring compressors safely.
It would also be a good idea to put my theory to somebody who can see the car, it's hard to be sure about these things remotely.

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 15 Apr 2004, 23:22

thanks, I've put the car into the local Kwik fit, for them to say that they can't see anything wrong. Strange the problem is still there as bad as before. However they did agree that it could possibly be a shock on its way, just not showing it yet? Or an extreme reason could be something to do with the diff???? Any ideas? I'm stuck! Thanks

mikgram · Unread post by **mikgram** » 16 Apr 2004, 00:25

have a look at your tyres if they are wearing evenly across the tyre
if they are wearing unevenly or worn on one side then its a sign of tracking or wheel alignment
also check your tyre pressure is even on both sides

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 16 Apr 2004, 00:52

The tracking has been checked, along with the tyre pressures. The hunt is sill on!! Thanks anyway

Homer · Unread post by **Homer** » 16 Apr 2004, 02:46

I would be tempted to get a second opinion on the tracking.
You can check the tyre pressures yourself.
Though, are you having to force the wheel to the left or is it just slightly out of alignment?

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 16 Apr 2004, 14:01

I only need to hold the steering wheel to the right when its pulling away to the left. I have considered where a problem with a driveshaft cause be causing it? The only other sign is that when I drive over rough ground/small pot holes etc I get a loud thump. I'll think I try another independant garage to look at the shocks etc.

lonbk · Unread post by **lonbk** » 18 Apr 2004, 06:51

Did you check the tyres. I had the same problem which disapeared when I fitted new tyres.

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 18 Apr 2004, 20:16

I've swapped all the wheels around, but this didn't make any real difference. I'm going to get a second opinion tomorrow, form an independant mechanic to see what he thinks.... Thanks

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 20 Apr 2004, 20:45

I have noticed since getting right underneath the car that some oil seems to be leaking around the area where the left hand Frive shaft enters the engine. Could this be a cause?

stuhough · Unread post by **stuhough** » 22 Apr 2004, 14:00

Hi Ya
Get the car electronically tracked it only has to be out a whisker,

Go to an independant alignment expert not K fit

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 24 Apr 2004, 00:23

I will try, but i have had the tracking checked by more than one garage. I have seen somewhere that the P.A.S might cause it, something to do with a PAS Ram or a Fluid Distribution Valve. nothing of which I really know about!!!

grattsim · Unread post by **grattsim** » 29 Apr 2004, 22:10

What are drop links? Are they the link bars from the strut to the roll bar? Cold these have something to do with it? As I am beginning to get vibration through the wheel as well..